RTSC Gala Reports

Sunday 11th May - Junior Speedo League - Barnet Copthall

Regional Final Beckons For Town's Juniors

Romford Town’s youngsters were involved in a tight battle in the second round of this year's Junior Speedo League.

In what proved to be an exciting afternoon of racing, the Town’s youngsters did themselves proud as they slugged it out with Kingston Royals and Colchester for top spot. Winning sixteen of the 49 events contested put Town in contention for victory as the lead swapped on several occasions.

After 13 events Colchester lead the way on 59 points, closely followed by Romford on 55. With 26 events completed, Romford had overhauled Colchester’s lead to go ten clear on 106 points, though Kingston Royals had sneaked into the lead on 107.

With only ten events left on the programme, Romford now lead by one point from Kingston,in second.Unfortunately, Kingston faired better in the closing events ending up winners on 207 points, with Romford settling for second place on 199 points.

It was the twelve-year-old boys that lead by example, as they dominated their age group collecting maximum points in all their events. The trio of Joseph Stamp, Harry Coker and Sean Houllihan won their individual events, as Joe won the 50 metre Freestyle, Harry won the 50 metres Butterfly and Sean doing the 'double' as he won both the 50 metres Backstroke and Breastroke. Sam Bishop joined the three boys as they won their medley relay; whilst Charlie Davis replaced Sam Bishop to help the team win the Freestyle relay too.

The twelve-year-old girls were in good form also as Bethany Hall, Lily Rose Fancourt, Elena Sheridan and Sophie Thompson got the gala off to a great start in winning the opening 4 x 25 metre Freestyle relay. Bethany Hall gained maximum points as she won the 50 metres Breastroke and was second in the 50 metres Backstroke. Elena Sheridan won the 50 metres Butterfly and was third in the 50 metres Freestyle.

The eleven-year-old girls were pleased with themselves too, as the freestyle relay team of Emma Aston, Brock Whiston, Victoria Christmas and Rosie Webber gained a very good 1st place but had to be content with 2nd spot in the Medley team. Individual wins in the eleven years girls’ age group came from Rosie Webber, 50 metres Backstroke and Brock Whiston 50 metres Breastroke. Emma Aston had to settle for 3rd in the 50 metres Freestyle, as did Victoria Christmas in the 50 metres Butterfly.

The boy’s 11 years team of Sam Bishop, James Kidd, Charlie Davis and Oliver Applebee had to settle for 3rd place in the Medley relay. James Kidd took 2nd place in the 50 metres Butterfly, as Sam Bishop was 3rd in the 50 metres whilst Oliver gained 3rd place in the 50 metres Breastroke.

10 year Megan McAuliffe gained a 1st place in an impressive 50 metres Breastroke and was joined by teammates Bethany Moore, Sophie Ward and Holly Higgins as they won their Medley relay. The quartet also gained 3rd in the Freestyle relay. Bethany had to be content with a 3rd in the 50 metres Backstroke and Freestyle.

Luke Sheridan starred for the ten year old boys as he too performed a 'double' of victories as he won the 50 metres Breastroke and 50 metres Butterfly. Sam Hollington gained 3rd place in the 50 metres Backstroke. The pair was joined by Toby Mascall and Jonathan Toolis to pick up a 4th place in Freestyle relay.

Nine-year-old Sophie Ward kept the points flowing as she swam to 2nd place in the 25 metres Butterfly, whilst the boys nine year old Freestyle relay team of Oliver Coles, Billy Davis, Jack Lane and Andrew Isaacs were 4th.

Final Scores:

1. Kingston Royals 207
2. Romford Town 199
3. Colchester 185
4. Redbridge 168
5. Barnet Copthall 140
6. Southend on Sea 125

This second place finish matching the same result as achieved in round one, will be enough to make the final of the M11 region to be held on Sunday 29th June 08. Here the top six clubs from the first two rounds of this year's regional competition will battle it out to reach the South of England final later in the year.